wheee...a hat!

You've made the wheee... sweater for your little one, and now you need a hat...

 wheee....a hat for baby

by pamela w allen

you will need:

app. 50 yds. Katia Ushuaia (leftover from the sweater project)

1-US15/ 10mm dpn's

1-16" circular, if desired

darning needle

button

gauge:

2 stitches per inch over stockinette in the round

directions:

With circular, or two dpn's, cast on 34 stitches.  Work back and forth in garter stitch (knit every row) for 6 rows.  Bind off 4 stitches, knit 30, then join to work in the round and continue to work in stockinette (knitting ever round) until work measures approximately 3”. 

shape crown:

Decrease 5 stitches, every other round until you have 3 stitches on the needle as follows:

Round 1:  Knit 4 k2tog; repeat to end of round...25 stitches remain.

Round 2:  Knit.

Round 3:  Knit 3 k2tog; repeat to end...20 stitches remain.

Round 4:  Knit.

if using circular, change to dpn's... 

Continue decreasing as established, 5 stitches every other round, until 5 stitches remain on the needles.

Knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together...3 stitches remain.

Knit these 3 stitches in i-cord (stitch diva has a good tutorial online) for an inch-or-two.  With your tapestry needle, pull yarn through the 3 stitches and thread to the inside of the  i-cord. Leave cord as is, knot it, or add a "lazy knitter's tassel"(below).

lazy knitter's tassel:

Thread a darning needle with several strands of yarn, each about 12" long.  Pull through the end of the i-cord stem halfway, then knot. Clip ends to desired length.

               et voilá!!!

©2015 pamela w allen designs…all rights reserved 

for personal use only…

  

wheee...it's free!

wheee...

I had intended to offer this pattern months ago...I had intended to add several sizes, and offer several options...

meh

My mind is off to other ideas, other projects, and so I now offer this pattern to you, as is, for freeee...

wheee...

in the blink of an eye

the original wheee...was knit last spring, as a way to try out Katia's Ushuaia, which had just arrived at my favorite yarn shop. It's a fun yarn--a thick & thin super-bulky that knits up at 2 stitches per inch and comes in several color combinations.  I picked up two skeins of the joyful colorway #604 and got to work...

Two hours later, I had a sweater...

I jotted down the pattern notes, with all intentions of adding several sizes. 

 I DID manage to do the math for a second size, 

which knitter extraordinaire, 

Lynne G., graciously test-knitted...

photo courtesy Lynne G.

But that's as far as I got...so much for intentions!

Anyway...here is the pattern...just in time for winter...

wheee...

a sweater for baby

Materials:

2-skeins Katia Ushuaia

1-US15/ 10mm 16" circular

1-set dpn's in same size

darning needle

large button

· 

Gauge: 

2 sts/ inch over stockinette, blocked

Sizes: 

3-6mo., 6-12 mo.

Finished measurements (approximate):                

20” (22”), chest, un-stretched

Abbreviations and terms:

dpn:  double pointed needle

k:  knit

p:  purl

k2tog:  knit two stitches together

sl:  slip stitch as if to purl

i-cord:  using 2 dpn’s, knit the remaining 3 stitches, slide the stitches to the other side of the dpn so that the  yarn comes from the left side of the stitches; with the second dpn, pull the yarn around the back of the 3 stitches, and knit the first stitch on the right tip of the left needle from this position;  repeat to desired length.

DIRECTIONS:

Note:  This sweater is worked entirely in the round, from the bottom to the neck.  Body is worked to the underarms, sleeves are made separately and joined to the body before knitting the yoke.  Underarm stitches are joined together at the very end using three-needle bind-off. 

With circular, using the long-tail method, cast on 42 (46) stitches.   Do not join.  Work in garter stitch for 6 rows (knit every row)—you will have 3 garter ridges on the right side of the work.  Join to work in the round and continue in stockinette (knit every round) until sweater measures 7”(8”).   Place marker at beginning of round and at middle of round, defining the sides. (21 [23]  stitches front, 21 [23] back.) Leave on needle and put aside.

Sleeves (make 2):  With dpn’s, cast on 16 stitches.  Join, without twisting, to work in round, placing marker for beginning of round Work in stockinette stitch for 16 (20) rounds.  Put the next three stitches on waste yarn (underarm stitches).  Set aside.

Join sleeves to body:  Knit 18 (20), put next three stitches on waste yarn (underarm stitches), place marker (this is now the beginning of your round) and knit stitches from first sleeve; knit 18(20) body stitches, then stitches from second sleeve.  Put remaining 3 body stitches (underarm stitches) on waste yarn.  You now have 62 (66) stitches on the needle. Knit until the work measures another 2” from underarm (ending at first marker). 

1^st decrease round: * K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end—41 (44) stitches remain. Continue working in stockinette for 1 (1.5) inch.   2^nd decrease round: for 3-6mo: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2 —28 stitches remain. for 6-12 mo:  *K1, K2tog;  repeat from * to last two stitches, k2—30 stitches remain. Work in stockinette for 2 (2.5) inches.

3^rd decrease round:  for 3-6mo: *K4, k2tog; repeat from* to last 4 stitches, K4—24 stitches remain.  Turn work.  for 6-12 mo:  *K5, k2tog, repeat from* to last 2 sts, k2—26 stitches remain.  Turn work.

Finish collar and make neck opening:  Working back and forth in garter stitch, knit 6 rows.  Bind off loosely, using your favorite method.  

Underarm seams:   Turn work inside out.  Put the three right underarm sleeve stitches on a dpn, and the three right underarm body stitches on a second dpn.  Leaving a long tail on either side, bind off together, using three-needle bind off.  Close up the loosey-goosey holes on either side of the seam, using a darning needle.  Repeat on left side.  Weave in all ends and steam or wet-block.  If desired, single crochet around neck opening.  As pictured, add crocheted chain button loop and button to neck opening.

et voilá!!!

please let me know if you have any problems with this free pattern...

pwaknits@gmail.com

©2015 pamela w allen designs…all rights reserved 

for personal use only…

this pattern is not for sale

thank you, mrs. hunter...

happy 2015, everyone!

it is a new year...a time to make changes, to reflect on what we find truly important, a time for...

a new pattern!

I had been eyeing this lovely Isager Silk Mohair in color #23 for some time...

I am a sucker for mohair, especially super kid mohair mixed with silk, and this particular color of grey is so attractive, so sophisticated, I knew that someday I would need to knit something with it.  It wasn't, however, until Manos del Uruguay's Serena, in the striking "Deep Sea" color, arrived at my favorite yarn shop that I knew what I would do. Not long ago, I took home two skeins of the Serena and two skeins of the Mohair Silk (in color #23) and got to work.  This is the result...

thank you, mrs hunter...

in the colors of a Mendocino coast sunset...
blues and greens and a hint of apricot
all washed in grey...

luxurious beyond belief, it is all about the combination of these particular yarns, knit in this particular stitch pattern--Mrs. Hunter's Lace--in these amazing colors...

thank you, mrs. hunter...

is now available on Ravelry

happy new year...

knit a snow pixie...

snow pixie...

it started with a skein of 100% angora--a 10 gram ball of fluff that I simply couldn't resist...

...how could I?

© pamela w allen designs

the snow pixie...a hat for baby

just in time for the holidays, this wee pixie cap knits up quickly and makes the perfect gift for the snow pixies in your life...

it takes just two skeins of plymouth yarn's angora!

pattern will be available december 7th

look for it on ravelry

or at the mendocino yarn shop

on the needles...

a scarf...

kermit the beanie...

a free pattern

it had just arrived at my favorite yarn store, 

a skein of oh-so-soft merino

in a dizzying combination of greens and greys...

I didn't love it, but I was intrigued...

then I saw the color name...

 kermit

image designed by Ted Wright

how could I resist?

I took it home and made a hat...

the color changes on this Manos del Uruguay yarn are short and regular, and when knit up in a 3 x 2 ribbed beanie 

with a 20" circumference,

the colors stack, creating spiral stripes...

it's fun, and soft...

KERMIT the BEANIE...

this hat fits an average adult head...

gauge is 5 stitches per inch

1 - skein Manos del Uruguay Maxima in color Kermit (m8106)

1 - 16" circular, sz. US7 / 4.5mm or size needed to obtain gauge

1 - set of dpn's in the same size

darning needle 

With circular, cast on 95 stitches.  Join to work in the round. *K3, p2--repeat to end of round.  Work in pattern (3 x 2 rib), as established, until your work measures app. 6" (longer, if you wish to turn it up).  Try it on your head before you begin your crown shaping.

Crown shaping:

rnd 1:*k3, p2tog; repeat from * to end of round--76 sts. remain.

rnds 2 & 3: *k3, p1; repeat from * to end of round.

rnd 4:  *k1, k2tog, p1;  repeat from * to end of round--57 sts. remain.

rnds 5 & 6: *k2, p1;  repeat from * to end of round.

rnd 7:  *k2tog, p1; repeat from * to end of round--38 sts. remain

rnd 8:  *k1, p1;  repeat from * to last 2 sts, k1.  do not work last purl stitch.

rnd 9:  beginning with un-worked purl stitch from last round, k2tog 19 times--19 sts. remain.

continue to k2tog until 10 stitches remain.  Break yarn and pull through the 10 stitches twice.  Tack down well on inside of hat. Weave any ends.  Wet or steam block, being careful not to stretch the ribs.

et voilà!!!

you should have enough to do a baby hat as well...

might I suggest a pixie hat?

happy knitting!!!

it's been a long, long time...

...so...where does one begin, after such an absence?

perhaps a free pattern is in order?

a pattern for a 3 x 2 ribbed beanie

in softy-soft fair-trade merino?

 

the yarn is maxima from Manos del Uruguay

the colorway is kermit

the hat is knit in the round, taking advantage of the short, even color changes that stack to create spiral stripes

of froggy colors...

the pattern is free...look for it this weekend, 

right here on this blog!

his vest...

this...

has finally become

this...

merry christmas, warren!

oh! the colors!

my little coastal garden is filled with color inspiration these days...

I have been marveling, in particular, at the common alstroemerias that grow like weeds along a rustic fence just outside my kitchen door...

most of them are pink, but occasionally we get one that is gloriously orange...

and with that blue, blue, blue sky of early summer?

even these ordinary lilies become breathtaking...

of course, the temptation to knit with these colors was too great...

isager alpaca merino 2 from 

my favorite yarn shop...

pretty darn yummy, eh?

test knitters wanted...

ready for testing...

instant baby sweater...

the pattern for the 

wheeee...instant baby sweater

is almost ready!

pattern will include two sizes and a hat...

this is a fabulous 

instant gratification project

look for it soon!

visiting an old friend...

after looking at all the bits and bobs of ultra alpaca that clutter my knitting room, I have decided to re-visit a favorite hat...the "scrappy little hat"...

it is a fabulous way to use up scraps of beautiful yarn...they can be of any length, any color...

the pattern, originally written for sport-weight yarn, is easy to adapt to any weight... however, I have recently re-written it, making it easy for you to use up all those small lengths of worsted weight yarns...

scrappy little hat...worsted version

This hat is a fun and practical way to use up those bits and pieces of yarn leftover from past projects! An interesting texture is formed by alternating stockinette and reverse stockinette with each new scrap…

Below are step-by-step instructions for your first hat…So, gather your leftovers, and let’s knit a “scrappy little hat”! 

Materials:

1 – 16" size US6 (4.0mm)circular needle
1 - 16" size US7 (4.5mm)

1 – set of size 7(4.5mm) double pointed needles

1 – darning needle

1 – skein worsted weight (main color)

Scraps of worsted weight yarn in four or more colors and of varying lengths (but not more than 3 or 4 yards each).

Gauge:

5 stitches per inch in stockinette

Abbreviations:

K – knit; K2tog – knit two stitches together

Size:  

Child...about 17", with app. 2 inches negative ease.

Instructions:

Using size 6 needles and main color , cast on 84 stitches.  Join without twisting and work in 2 x 2 rib (in other words, knit 2, purl 2, and repeat all the way around)  for one inch (or desired length).

Now the fun begins.  With larger circulars, pick up a length of scrap yarn (preferably in a contrasting color).  Knit with this yarn until you are about 1 inch from the end of the scrap.  Then, pick up a second length of scrap yarn, in another color, and purl, purl, purl until you are an inch from the end of that scrap.  Pick up a third scrap, and knit, knit, knit, around and around, until you reach the end of this scrap.  Continue this way, alternating knitting and purling with each new scrap of yarn until your hat measures about 4 inches.  Now pick up your main color again and knit for a few rows. Place a marker if you wish (to indicate the beginning of the round) and shape the hat’s crown as follows:

1^st round:  K10, K2tog, repeat to end of round—77 stitches remain

2^nd,4^th,6^th,8^th,10^th,12^th,14^th,16^th rounds: Knit

3^rd round:  K9, K2tog, repeat to end of round—70 stitches remain

5^th round:  K8, K2tog, repeat to end of round—63 stitches remain

7^th round:  K7, K2tog, repeat to end of round—56 stitches remain

9^th round:  K6, K2tog, repeat to end of round—49 stitches remain

11^th round:  K5, K2tog, repeat to end of round—42 stitches remain

*switch to double-pointed needles*

13^th round:  K4, K2tog, repeat to end of round—35 stitches remain

15^th round:  K3, K2tog, repeat to end of round—28 stitches remain

17^th round:  K2, K2tog, repeat to end of round—21 stitches remain

18^th round:  K1, K2tog, repeat to end of round—14 stitches remain

19^th round:  K2tog to end of round—7 stitches remain.

Break thread, leaving a 3” tail.  Thread through darning needle and pull through the seven remaining stitches twice; Tack down well on inside.  Weave in all ends. Wet block. 

Et voilà!

Pretty simple—and so many possible variations!  It is quite easy to adapt this pattern for different sizes and yarns, too. 

And, yes, I would love to see photos of your

scrappy little hat!

© 2014 pamela w allen designs...all rights reserved.

wheeeeee...

there's a new yarn at my favorite yarn shop...

ushuaia, from the spanish company katia,is a super-bulky, thick-and-thin yarn that is wildly fun...

not my usual style, this yarn, but the happy colors were calling out, "knit me!"

and so, that evening, I made a baby sweater...

at a gauge of 2 stitches per inch, 
it flew off the needles...

thus, the name...

wheeee

pattern will be available soon!

cotton with wool...

a new yarn has arrived at my favorite yarn store...

Geilsk

 bomuld (cotton) og (and) uld (wool)

had to give it a try...

though I am making a hat as a sample,

I do think a sweater is in order!

this yarn seems to be ideal 

for our coastal summers...

a lovely, light cotton fingering

tempered and warmed by the 

magic that is 

wool